Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on a client who has the gene mutation for Huntington disease but their partner does not. What percent chance does the client have of passing the gene to their offspring? Can you figure it out?
The nurse working in the genetic counseling office is caring for a client who has the gene mutation for Huntington disease but their partner does not. What percent chance does the client have of passing the gene to their offspring?
A. 75%
B. 50%
C. 15%
D. 100%Scroll down for the correct answer!
The correct answer to today’s NCLEX-RN® Question is…
B. 50%
Rationale: Huntington disease is an autosomal dominant condition. This means that a person with Huntington’s disease has a 50% chance of passing the gene to an offspring. In other words, a child who has a parent with the mutated gene has a 50% chance of inheriting that mutated gene.
Major Takeaway
Huntington disease is caused by a mutation of the HTT gene, which is located on chromosome 4 and is responsible for the synthesis of the Huntington protein. This mutation is inherited through the autosomal dominant pattern, meaning that a person with Huntington disease has a 50% chance of passing on the affected gene to their offspring. offspring.



Incorrect answer explanations
A. 75%
Rationale: Huntington disease has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. There is not a 75% chance this client’s offspring will have the disease if they have one affected copy of the gene for Huntington’s disease.
C. 15%
Rationale: Huntington disease has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. There is not a 15% chance this client’s offspring will have the gene if they have one affected copy of the gene for Huntington disease.
D. 100%
Rationale: Huntington disease has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. There is not a 100% chance this client’s offspring will have the disease if they have one affected copy of the gene for Huntington disease. ________________________

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